Environmental Factors

Sensation Seeking and Social Support Partially Mediate Polygenic Influences on Adult Alcohol Use Disorder Symptoms

Posted on January 19, 2023 (January 19, 2023) by Ricki Arvesen

Genetic predispositions play an important role in the development of alcohol use disorders (AUD). Understanding the psychosocial mechanisms through which genetic risk unfolds to influence AUD is critical for identifying modifiable targets and developing prevention and intervention efforts. In this study, we examined the role of sensation seeking and social support from family and friends […]

Binge and High-Intensity Drinking – Laboratory Assessment and Underlying Risk Factors

Posted on January 10, 2023 (January 10, 2023) by Ricki Arvesen

Some patterns of alcohol consumption are riskier than others. How rapid consumption of alcohol contributes to the increased risk of alcohol use disorder is unclear. We developed an experiment in which participants specific control over how quickly their breath alcohol concentration changes and tested for relationships to risky drinking patterns. How fast participants reached the […]

The Role of Adolescent Social Relationships in Promoting Alcohol Resistance: Interrupting the Intergenerational Transmission of Alcohol Misuse

Posted on January 10, 2023 (January 10, 2023) by Ricki Arvesen

Genes play an important role in whether someone develops alcohol use disorder or engages in other risky alcohol behaviors, but not all individuals who are at-risk due to genetic factors go on to misuse alcohol. Yet, little is known about what the “active ingredients” are for promoting resistance to alcohol misuse. In this study, we […]

The Role of Parental Genotype in the Intergenerational Transmission of Externalizing Behavior: Evidence for Genetic Nurturance

Posted on December 20, 2022 by Ricki Arvesen

In this analysis, we examined the pathways by which genetic risk associated with externalizing is transmitted in families. We used phenotypic and genetic data from parents and offspring to test the genetic and environmental pathways contributing to adolescent externalizing behavior. Genetic liability for externalizing problems was operationalized in the form of polygenic scores. In addition […]

Genetic Nurture Effects for Alcohol Use Disorder

Posted on December 20, 2022 by Ricki Arvesen

Genetic factors play an important role in the intergenerational transmission of alcohol use disorder. Typically, when we think about how genetic risk is passed from generation to generation, we think about the genotypes that children inherit from their parents. Yet, this represents only one potential way that genetic risk may be transmitted in families. This […]

How Do Our Genes Influence Risk for Alcohol Problems?

Posted on November 29, 2022 (November 29, 2022) by Ricki Arvesen

Some people are more at risk for developing alcohol problems than others and part of the reason lies in our genes. Researchers are working on finding the specific genes associated with alcohol problems, and then mapping the complex pathways by which these genes influence alcohol use outcomes and interact with the environment. Check out Translational […]

Alcohol Use Disorder, Psychiatric Comorbidities, Marriage and Divorce in a High-risk Sample

Posted on November 14, 2022 (November 15, 2022) by Ricki Arvesen

Previous studies demonstrate the associations between alcohol use disorders (AUD) and marital outcomes in general population samples, and the associations between AUD and marital outcomes have tangible costs, because a body of work shows links between marriage with better health and well-being. This study made use of data from the Collaborative Study on the […]

Binge and High-Intensity Drinking – Laboratory Assessment and Underlying Risk Factors

Posted on November 1, 2022 (December 21, 2022) by Ricki Arvesen

Some patterns of alcohol consumption are riskier than others. How rapid consumption of alcohol contributes to the increased risk of alcohol use disorder is unclear. We developed an experiment in which participants were given specific control over how quickly their breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) changes, and then tested for relationships to risky drinking patterns. […]

The Research is In: It’s Nature AND Nurture

Posted on October 25, 2022 (November 1, 2022) by Ricki Arvesen

Science tells us that both our genes AND our environments shape the likelihood that we will develop problems with alcohol use. Because the COGA study has a wealth of data on both genetics and environments, our investigators are uniquely positioned to explore both simultaneously. See the summaries of a few recent publications to better understand […]

News You Can Use: How does Service Use for Alcohol Problems Relate to your Generation?

Posted on August 20, 2020 (September 6, 2022) by Emily Balcke

A seated young man is in a session with a female therapist

What was studied and why? Understanding the context around why people seek out help and treatment (aka services) for alcohol problems can help researchers and clinicians to better study and support those same individuals’ treatment and recovery. Service use patterns for alcohol problems have changed over the years, whether it be due to policy (e.g., […]

Posted in Development/Progression, Environmental Factors, News, Other